October 7,2015

Happy October. This is one of my favorite times of the year. The trees are changing colors, cooler weather, hot chocolate, and warm fires in the fireplace. My two cats love to cuddle on my lap while I attempted to read a book. October is also the Month of the Rosary. The Rosary is the most popular devotion to Mary. We celebrate the Feast of the Rosary, on October 7th, in memory of the triumphant victory at the battle of Lepanto. In 1571, Pope St. Pius V requested that the Western Christendom pray the Rosary for victory over the naval fleet of the Muslim Turks. The Church and the West were saved from the invasion and the feast of “Our Lady of the Rosary” was liturgically instituted. We also associate the appearances of Mary, at Lourdes and Fatima, with the praying of the Rosary. Over the years popes and saints have urged all of us to pray the Rosary for global peace. St. Dominic and the Dominican Order are attributed to the popularity of the Rosary. The laity had a desire to have 150 prayers to match the 150 psalms that are chanted by the monks in monasteries. “In 1569, St. Pius V officially recommended the praying “of 150 angelic salutations…with the Lords’ prayer at each decade…while meditating on the mysteries which recall the entire life of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Adapted from United States Catholic Catechism for Adults p. 298) As I stated above the Mysteries of the Rosary are centered on the events of Christ’s life.

The five Joyful Mysteries are prayed on Mondays and Saturdays. They remind us of the happy times that Jesus and Mary shared together.

The five Luminous Mysteries are prayed on Thursdays and they help us to see and understand the public life of Jesus.

The five sorrowful Mysteries are prayed on Tuesdays and Fridays. They help us to remember the sadness Mary felt as well as the pain that Jesus suffered to save us.

The five Glorious Mysteries we pray on Wednesdays and Sundays. We remember the great things that Mary and Jesus felt because they followed God’s word.

In October of 2002, Pope John Paul II issued the apostolic letter On the Most Holy Rosary. In this letter the Holy Father added

The five additional mysteries called the Luminous Mysteries which include :

the Baptism of the Lord,

the Miracle at Cana,

the Proclamation of the Kingdom of God,

the Transfiguration,

and the Institution of the Eucharist.

The format of the Rosary helps us to find rest in God’s divine presence within us. The repetition of the Hail Mary guides us to enter the silence of our hearts to find Christ’s Spirit. The recitation of the Rosary nightly can become a source of great inspiration and spiritual growth for your family. If you need help with the format and prayers please stop in to see me or contact the office and we can help you.